4 Ways to Handle a Period While Cheerleading

1. Pre-Treat With a Pain Reliever

The fatigue has set in, you're down to two or three days before your period is scheduled to come and you know you have to perform through the cramps. The good news is that not only is it safe to pre-treat with a pain reliever, but many health care professionals also recommend it. Ibuprofen is the best pain reliever for menstrual cramps and you can take it every four to six hours one to two days before your period arrives. This pre-treating step can make every month more manageable during your cheer season.

2. Stop, Drop and Stretch

When cramps, bloating and pain strike, it is time to super stretch your way to relief. Spend some extra time relaxing the muscles that are causing you the most pain. Lean in to and extend the stretches that are already a part of your regular routine. Borrow some stretches from yoga to key into your period's most painful places. The child's pose, a wide squat or the camel positions are the best for relieving some of your discomfort. These specific stretches focus on the muscles that cause the worst of the cramps. Taking the time for some serious stretching can guarantee some serious relief.

3. Pile on the Protection

This is one sport that requires all around protection. Fast and flexible moves rule out any single type of feminine product. No one pad or tampon can give you the clean, no-muss results you demand during a cheerleading routine, game or competition. Double up with both a tampon and a pad to help ensure that you do not have any embarrassing accidents before, during or after your routine or practice. You know your body better than anyone so be prepared with the correct absorbency for your flow when buying your tampons. Make sure your pad keeps up with you and your flips by opting for ultra thin with wings.

4. Stay at the Top of Your Game

Research proves that physical activity both relieves the pain and bloating that accompanies your period and can decrease the number of days of your menstrual flow. The more intense the work out, the better the results. The moral of this story is to kick it up a notch during this problem period and you will be back to your regular self sooner.